That loss is a direct lesson for the players, and the responsibility lies 100% with them.
Do not shift blame to NIL deals. Do not point fingers at agents. These are grown men—adults—making full adult choices with their careers and their futures.
Yes, I understand the environment is tough. Agents are circling, applying pressure. Friends and family are whispering about the money and pushing hard. The temptation is real.
But let's keep perspective. Don't give me the "they don't know any better." In 1914 and again in 1939, millions of 18-year-olds—some even younger lying about their age—voluntarily stepped forward, knowing full well they might never come home. They made life-and-death decisions as young adults Many at 18yrs old. Made it without million-dollar NIL collectives dangling in front of them.
So no—one more greedy adult chasing a bigger bag is not a victim. He is an adult who weighed his options and chose the money over the team, over loyalty, over the program. Own it. Learn from it. If you don't have a spot. Damn the bad luck, Son.
#LessonsinLife
Talking to GMs this morning - dozens of examples of players in the Portal asking if they can return to the team only to discover their spot has been filled